Grain blower



- Aug; 27K, 1946. c. c. ROWLEY ETAL GRAIN` BLOWER I 2 Sheecs-Sheet 1 Filed July 3. 1945 Aug. Z7, 1946.

C. .C. ROWLEY ETAL GRAIN LowER Filed July '3. 1945 2 sheets-sheet 2 Patented Aug. 27, 1946 GRAIN BLOWER Cecil C. Rowley and Leslie C. Walgren, Wauneta, Nebr.

Applicationluly 3, 1945, Serial. No. v60?,058

6 Claims.

l This invention relates to grain conveyors, and more particularly to grain lconveyors of the pneu 'matic type such as are used for handling, elevatingand transferring Igrain and the like.

A main object of the invention is to provide a novel and improved pneumatic grain conveyor device of simple construction which is portable and which is easy to operate.

A further object of the invention is to provide an improved grain conveyor device employing a counterbalanced chassis including an internal combustion engine to furnish the lifting power.

Further objects and advantages of the invention will appear from the following description and claims, and from the accompanying drawings, wherein:

Figure 1 is a top view of a grain conveyor device in accordance with this invention.

Figure 2 is a side elevational View of the conveyor device of Figure 1.

Figure 3 is a detail cross-sectional view taken on line 3-3 of Figure 2.

Figure 4 is a cross-sectional view taken on line 4-4 of Figure 3.

Figure 5 is a detail cross-sectional view taken on line 5--5 of Figure 4.

Referring to the drawings, I designates the conveyor chassis, which comprises a pair of longitudinal members 4-4 connected by appropriate transverse members to form a rigid frame structure.

At the forward portion of the frame structure .an internal combustion engine 2 is mounted, said engine providing the power for the conveyor. Engine 2 has associated therewith a variable gear transmission 25. Chassis I is supported on a pair of wheels 3, 3, the engine 2 being located forwardly with respect to said wheels to substantially counterbalance the remainder of the conveyor structure.

The rear portion of the frame structure comprises a rectangular frame member 5 built up of inwardly facing channel members, the short sides of member 5 being bolted to supporting channel sections 6, 6 welded to the respective longitudinal members 4, 4. Secured centrally of frame 5, vas by Welding, is a cylindrical housing member 'I provided with a forward bearing 8 and a rear bearing 9 within which is journaled a shaft I0. The forward end of shaft I0 is connected by a universal joint to the power shaft 2| which extends from transmission 25. The rearward end of shaft I0 is connected to a blower fan I I contained within a blower housing I2 secured to the rear end is rigidly secured, as by welding, to the rearward edges of vanes I6 to rigidify and strengthen the of chassis I. Thepower shaft sections are housed in appropriate tubular guard sleeves and the universal joint is likewise protected by mating hemispherical guards secured to trl-1e respective tubular guard sleeves at the joint. y

Blower fan II comprises a hub I3 carrying integrally secured thereto a disc element I4; Disc I4 is formed with a plurality of radial trapezoidally-shaped vanes I6 defining a generally conical intake space at the rearward pori tion of the fan. A flat annular ring elementv I5' fan.

p Fan housing I2 comprises a generally cylindrical drum having an intake opening I1 centrally located in its rear wall and an outlet passage I8 extending tangentially upward from its cylindrical side wall. Passage I8 is adapted to be connected to an appropriate conduit leading to a desired deposit receptacle, such as a grain bin. Secured to the rear wall of the fan housing adjacent intake opening I1 is a scoop member I9 formed with a side wall, a iront wall and a bottom wall. The shape of scoop member I9 is such as to prevent overloading of the fan by acting as a baille to guide the grain laterally into housing intake opening I'I while airis supplied from .above the scoop. A vigorous air current is thus set up by the rotating fan which facilitates smooth movement of the grain through the blower housing to outlet passage I8.

Engine 2 is adapted to drive the blower fan at a speed in the neighborhood of 600 revolutions per minute, which provides effective suction and conveying action.

The f an is substantially counterbalanced by the weight of engine 2 so that the blower head may be easily lifted and positioned lat desired locations with respect to the pile of grain to be transferred. The forward portions of longitudinal members 4, 4 formed with curved handle elements 20, 2D to facilitate manipulation of the conveyor.

While a specific embodiment of a grain conveyor device has been disclosed in the foregoing description, it will be understood that various modifications within the spirit of the invention may occur to those skilled in the art. Therefore, it is intended that no limitations be placed on the invention other than as defined by the scope of the appended claims.

What is claimed is:

1. A grain conveyor comprising a chassis mounted intermediate its length on a pair of wheels, a prime mover mounted on said chassis on one side of said wheels, and a suction vfan mounted on said chassis on the other side of said wheels,rsaid suction fan being connected to said prime mover and being spaced with respect to said Wheels so as to substantially counterbalance said prime mover. Y

2. The structure of claim l, and wherein said suction fan comprises la rotary impeller contained within 'a housing having an axial intake opening and a tangential outlet passage, and wherein baffle means is provided at said intake opening forv guiding grain laterally into said opening.V I l 3. The structure of claim 1, and wherein said suction fan comprises a rotary impeller contained within a housing, said housing having an axial intake opening and a tangential outlet passage,

4 chassis on one side of the pivot, a rotary pneumatic conveyor fan mounted on said chassison the other` side of said pivot whereby to substantially counterbalance said prime mover, said prime mover'being operatively connected t0 said rotary fan, said fan comprising a housing secured to the end portion of'said chassis, and a rotor contained within said housing, said housing having an axial intake opening at its rear wall and a tangential outlet passage at its side wall, and

-baiie means adjacent said opening preventing Y direct axial entry of grain therein.

and wherein baille means embodying a scoop like.

wall element is provided at said intake opening for simultaneously guiding grain laterally into said opening and air downwardly into said open-- ing. e c

Y 4. A grain conveyor comprising a pivotally mounted chassis, a prime mover mounted on said 

